Informatics Publishing Limited

S. S. Singh , G. S. Paliwal

Abstract

The dry seeds of A. lebbek were treated with 20, 40 and 80 kR of Continuous and Fractionated exposures, from Co⁶⁰ source. Of the two treatments, the higher Fractionated dose both delayed the germination and reduced the Germination Value as well as the Germination Energy Index, in comparison to the Continuous ones. As the dose rate increases, the radicle and hypocotyl length gets stunted and at 80 kR level, the radicle got highly reduced. The length of the shoot and pianule number per seedling also decreased in the same pattern. Contrastingly, the higher doses of grmma rays augmented the size of the cotyledonary leaves as well as their fresh and dry matter production. In general: (a) Fractionated dose proved more potent in retarding the vigour of the seedlings and (b) the radicle was found to be most sensi iv part of the seedling as compared to the others.

Full Text

     

A. S. Rajawat ¹, H. B. Chauhan ¹, R. Ratheesh ¹, S. Rode ¹, R. J. Bhanderi ¹, M. Mahapatra ¹, Mohit Kumar ¹, R. Yadav ², S. P. Abraham ³, S. S. Singh ², K. N. Keshri ², Ajai ¹

Affiliations
1 Space Applications Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation, Ahmedabad 380 015, IN
2 Central Water Commission, Ministry of Water Resources, New Delhi 110 606, IN
3 Central Water Commission, Ministry of Water Resources, Kochi 682 020, IN

Abstract

The long stretch of coastline on either side of the Indian peninsula is subjected to varied coastal processes and anthropogenic pressures, which makes the coast vulnerable to erosion. There is no systematic inventory of shoreline changes occurring along the entire Indian coast on 1 : 25,000 scale, which is required for planning measures to be taken up for protecting the coast at the national level. It is in this context that shoreline change mapping on 1 : 25,000 scale for the entire Indian coast based on multidate satellite data in GIS environment has been carried out for 1989-1991 and 2004-2006 time frame. The present communication discusses salient observations and results from the shoreline change inventory. The results show that 3829 km (45.5%) of the coast is under erosion, 3004 km (35.7%) is getting accreted, while 1581 km (18.8%) of the coast is more or less stable in nature. Highest percentage of shoreline under erosion is in the Nicobar Islands (88.7), while the percentage of accreting coastline is highest for Tamil Nadu (62.3) and Goa has the highest percentage of stable shoreline (52.4). The analysis shows that the Indian coast has lost a net area of about 73 sq. km during 1989-1991 and 2004-2006 time frame. In Tamil Nadu, a net area of about 25.45 sq. km has increased due to accretion, while along the Nicobar Islands about 93.95 sq. km is lost due to erosion. The inventory has been used to prepare a Shoreline Change Atlas of the Indian Coast.

Keywords

Accretion, Coastal Erosion, Shoreline Changes, High and Low Tide Lines, Satellite Data.

Full Text

   

C. Haldar ¹, S. S. Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 Pineal Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, IN

Abstract

Birds (n general have not been frequently examined for the immunological influences of melatonin or pineal gland, as it has been potentially noted with the mammals including human being. There are only few reports suggesting that melatonin may play some role in the development and function of the immune system in the birds. The diurnal pattern of the melatonin synthesis is the same In almost all vertebrate groups so far examined, though differences exist in structure or anatomy of the pineal gland and seasonal variation in the peripheral melatonin level. Since functional relationship between neuroendocrine pineal gland and immune systems appears as to be diverse, it is logical that immunomodulatory effects of melatonin may be different in different seasons. The seasonal variation In melatonin level has been proved to improve the status of Immunity in seasonal tropical birds to bear the natural challenges. The level of peripheral melatonin minimizes some inflammatory diseases and sudden death syndrome in some poultry birds. The effect of melatonin also depends upon the phases of the inflammatory reaction/process. Pinealectomy in birds demonstrated functional interrelationship between the development of pineal gland, ontogeny of the melatonin secretion and immune system and/or neuroendocrine network. Bursectomy could influence the diurnal rhythm of melatonin and may abolish the effect of immunization on serum melatonin level. Specificities of avian immune system may be, however, very useful for understanding numerous phylogenetic and evolutionary mysteries. In this way a reciprocal functional connection between the avain immune system and the pineal gland seems to exist, but the mechanisms involved in maintaining the immune status by melatonin in avain group Is still not clear and needs to be elucidated.

Keywords

Birds, Immunity, Melatonin, Pineal, Reproduction.

Full Text

     

S. Rai ¹, S. S. Singh ¹, C. Haldar ¹

Affiliations
1 Pineal research Lab, Reproductive Biology Unit, Department of Zoology, BHU, Varanasi-221 005, IN

Abstract

The immune system was believed until recently, to be closely integrated with other physiological circuits such as the central nervous and neuroendocrine system of which pineal is a integral constituent (Gupta 1990). A lot of in vivo and in vitro studies have been performed to explain the immunoregulatory role of melatonin but till date there is very less report, available in the laboratory animals in this context. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the immunoregulatory role of pineal melatonin together with IL-1, i.e. synergic effect (IL-1 produced by LPS induced peritoneal macrophages) on the spleenocyte and thymocyte proliferation of the spleen and thymus respectively of F. pennanti. IL-1 is well known to induce proliferation of lymphocytes in rodents (Durum et ai, 1985; Mannel et al., 1985). This capacity of IL-1 has been utilized in its wisely used bioassay (Gearing et al., 1985).

Full Text

     

C. S. Praharaj ¹, Ummed Singh ¹, S. S. Singh ¹, N. Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur 208 024, IN

Abstract

Water - a critical input for sustained crop production - is becoming limiting both under rainfed and irrigated condition. It calls for an effective on-farm management of water in field crops through microirrigation (drip-fertigation) that could take care of both drainage during rainy months and supplementary life saving irrigation thereafter. Therefore, the present field study involving three planting configurations and five drip-fertigation schedules were taken up in pigeonpea (long duration) during 2010-12 under Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains at Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. Significant grain yield advantage (19.6%) was with single drip-fertigation with half of N + K fertilizer at branching over farmers' practice (rainfed pigeonpea, 2858 kg/ha). Drip-fertigation at both branch and pod development also out-yielded (3468 kg/ha) over improved practice (furrow irrigation, 3262 kg/ha). These yield levels realized were close to potential yield (2.5-3.0 t/ha). Twice drip-fertigated plots also had higher yield attributes (pods/plant, 100 seed weight and harvest index), lower water use, greater soil profile water content and water use efficiency (65.1 kg/ha cm), higher plant nutrient (N, P and K) uptake with improved soil nutrient availability and greater net return (INR 9650/ha) over farmers' practice. A case study on a micro-scale was also given which could explore the possibility of out-scaling the technology.

Keywords

Critical Stages, Indo-Gangetic Plains, Microirrigation, Pigeonpea, Planting Configurations, Rainfed Pigeonpea, Supplementary Fertigation.

Full Text

   

P. R. Kumar ¹, Raj Pal Meena ², S. S. Singh ³

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Research Centre, Ranchi (Jharkhand) – 834010, Jharkhand, IN
2 ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal – 132001, Haryana, IN
3 College of Horticulture, Noorsarai, Nalanda – 803113, Bihar, IN

Abstract

The Lahaul valley is situated to the south of Ladakh hence derived its name LhoYul meaning “Southern Country”. Kullu Valley is situated to its south across the Rohtang Pass (3195 Mtrs) and the Bara Bangahal (Kangra) across the Asakh pass (5051 Mtrs). Its western boundaries touch the Pangi and Churah areas of district Chamba; and the valleys of Zanskar and Ladakh across Shingola (5090 Mtrs) and Baralacha la (5450 Mtrs) respectively. Its eastern and south eastern boundaries are Spiti and Western Tibet across the Kunzom Pass (4500 meters).

Full Text

     

C. S. Praharaj ¹, Ummed Singh ¹, S. S. Singh ¹, N. Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur 208 024, IN

Abstract

Water is a critical input for productivity enhancement especially o f field crops. Its judicious and optimum use is needed utmost for realizing higher resource use efficiency and plugging gaps in production. Resource conservation technologies or key technological interventions, which could alter or rectify the usage pattern or strategies in freshwater utilization in agriculture, are the need o f the hour. Tactical or strategic approach in water management could help in conserving and making more-efficient use of scarce water resources through integrated management combined with selected external inputs/technologies. In this context, the scientific interventions on water management involving precision levelling of land, no tillage or reduced tillage systems, furrow irrigated raised bed planting or broad bed furrow systems, management o f soil cover and crop diversification and other inclusive technological practices could enforce appropriate water management schedules.

Keywords

Field Crops, Pulses, Resource Conservation, Sustainable Development Goals, Tactical Water Management, Technological Interventions.

Full Text